I’m currently taking a total of 8 classes right now this semester. If I get accepted, how many classes are acceptable to take in the second semester? My interim plan was to take a total of 5 classes, but I could take up to 6 or 7. Thanks for the help.
On the Common Application, under EDUCATION, there is a section entitled CURRENT OR MOST RECENT YEAR COURSES with these instructions:
Did you list all the courses that you would be taking for the entire year? If you only listed your 1st semester classes, that was a mistake.
If you are accepted in the SCEA round, your acceptance letter will contain a clause that states that your acceptance will be based on maintaining the same academic rigor and grades during 12th grade that you had in 9th, 10th and 11th grade.
My guess is that a drop from 8 classes per semester to 5 classes per semester would NOT be considered a rigorous academic schedule for Harvard, but if they are 5 AP classes that might not be true. So you should talk to your guidance counselor before creating your 2nd semester schedule as you don’t want to appear to have slackened off during your senior year. That could place your acceptance in jeopardy. See: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/20/avoid-college-acceptance-rescinded_n_6507536.html
@gibby I’m currently dual enrolled in 5 college classes, and 3 classes at my high school. The college that I’m taking classes at does not register students until about 1 month before classes start each semester, nor is a class list released beforehand. Will this be an issue with getting accepted?
How many classes would you recommend taking if the courses consist of 3 normal high school classes (no AP at my school) + 2 to 4 college classes? Thank you for your time.
Harvard likes self-motivated learners who challenge themselves. And, accepted in the SCEA round or not, Admissions will see your 2nd semester schedule when your guidance counselor submits your mid-year report around the end of January, beginning of February. So, I would counsel you to maintain the same number of classes you have had this semester, which would mean a total of 8 – 3 normal high school classes (no AP’s) plus 5 college classes.
If you cannot get into the same number of college classes, what will you do with the extra time you have during the day? Will you take more high school classes? Get a job? Or, sit at home on the couch and play video games? Admissions would prefer the first two options documented by your GC and not the third.
@gibby I cannot take more high school classes—the class periods do not align. I already have had a job for quite some time, but it is only in the evening hours. The absolute maximum number of classes I could take is 6 or 7. Unfortunately, my school does not accept < 3 credit classes as full credit, so my options are quite limited. Funny enough, even my 5 credit College Biology only counted for one semester at my high school; I had to take another semester of independent study lol.
So, I guess the real problem is logistics, and I don’t have a great solution for using that unused time (besides personal hobbies eg. computer programming). Thanks for your time!
Do your college classes have a dual component? A lecture taught by a professor, for example, and a section/review (or lab) taught by a student? At many colleges, including Harvard, students who have received an ‘A’ in a course can apply to be a section/review or lab leader the following semester. I’m not sure how that would work for a high school student taking college level classes, but being the youngest section/review leader on a college campus is going to wow any Admissions office!
@gibby Unfortunately, it is a very small school, and there is nothing of that sort. What do you think would be the minimum amount of classes that would be deemed acceptable, but not necessarily preferable.
The most rigorous schedule available is the one that’s deemed both acceptable and preferable. Is there another student at your high school who will be taking a more rigorous schedule than you next semester?
@gibby No, there is not. I attend a small school in North Dakota, and I am really the only person with high aspirations in my class.
Then I’m assuming your guidance counselor and teachers indicated as much in their letters of recommendations. So, you should try to maintain the same amount of course rigor during your 2nd semester as possible – and have a conversation with your GC. That’s what they are there for!
@gibby Thanks for the help! Unfortunately, my guidance counselor is of little use; she is fresh out of college and does not seem to know any more than I do 
I’ll use my best judgement in choosing what classes to take this next semester. Thanks again!